N8096X

On September 7, 1998, about 1906 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172B, N8096X, collided with trees and the ground during the cross wind turn at the Hidden Lake Airport, New Port Richey, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The student pilot and two passengers were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was New Port Richey, about 1903, on the same day.

The pilot stated to local law enforcement officers who responded to the accident site, that after takeoff a left turn was made to enter the practice landing pattern. During the turn, the airplane descended into the trees. The pilot reported that the airplane's fuel tanks were filled to capacity just before the flight. The report filed by the police officer at the scene indicated that the pilot weighed about 250 pounds, his right front seat passenger weighed about 300 pounds, and the rear seat passenger weighed about 200 pounds. Additionally, a 50 pound bag of sand was found in the rear of the baggage compartment. The temperature at the time of the accident was about 84 degrees with an altimeter setting of 29.94" Hg. The wind was calm.